PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Atlus Distributing Game Of Thrones Action/RPG

"A Song of Ice and Fire" has been a beloved fantasy franchise for over ten years, and it has received new life with a recent HBO adaptation. Plus, an RTS based on the series launched in September and now, that same developer (Cyanide Studios) has enlisted Atlus to deliver a new RPG.

It's simply named The Game of Thrones, and it will include many familiar locations from the books as well as the HBO series. Atlus says the game boasts "30+ hours" of gameplay and allows players to play as the two original characters. That gameplay will also feature an "active slowdown tactical combat engine" that slows down time and gives players a chance to make their battle choice. No, it's not turn-based.

In even better news for fans of the books, author George R.R. Martin is directly involved with the development of the game. And according to what Cyanide studio director Yves Bordeleau told USA Today:

"All the situations and storyline were written under [Martin's] monitoring in order to fit with the story the fans have already read, and thus fulfill their expectations."

Game of Thrones will release for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC early next year.

Atlus has published a bunch of crap through their history, for all platforms, but they have done better in recent years. Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen and 3D Dot Game heroes are still my favorite titles they've brought over.

Cyanide doesn't have the best track record throughout their history. Blood Bowl is the only game from them I actually enjoy. The Game of Thrones RTS game that came out a few months back is just horrible, gameplay and story wise, and really doesn't have much to do with the series at all since it takes place way before the books even started. With Atlus involved, this one is more promising but if all Atlus is doing is publishing it, most likely I'll pass. Just wish April would get here so Season 2 could hurry up and start.

Yeah, I had really high hopes for Cyanide's game, but after reading several reviews and checking out some game footage, I opted to pass on it. Consider that a lesson learned. I'll be avoiding this game unless it gets some great reviews.